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Okinawa sailor escapes jail time after wrong-way crash

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From Stripes.com

Okinawa's Naha District Court is pictured in this undated file photo. An American sailor whose wrong-way crash in June triggered sweeping travel and alcohol restrictions for servicemembers in Japan escaped jail time during her sentencing on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes

Okinawa sailor escapes jail time after wrong-way crash

by: . | .

Stars and Stripes | .

published: September 21, 2016

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — An American sailor whose wrong-way crash in June triggered sweeping travel and alcohol restrictions for servicemembers in Okinawa escaped jail time Tuesday during sentencing in Naha District Court.

Aimee Mejia, 21, a petty officer 2nd class assigned to Navy Munitions Command at Kadena Air Base, received a three-year suspended sentence requiring that she maintain good behavior for four years.

The sailor faced a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted under Japanese law, but prosecutors sought only three years.

Mejia pleaded guilty and asked for leniency. It is unclear if she will be leaving the Navy and Japan.

Mejia was arrested the night of June 4 after leaving a friend’s home in Yomitan. She drove the wrong way down Highway 58, near Kadena Gate 4, and crashed into two vehicles, injuring three people, police and court officials said. Her blood alcohol content was several times over Japan’s legal limit.

Mejia was charged June 24 with dangerous driving resulting in injuries. The crime sparked further backlash among locals against U.S. troops stationed on Okinawa and embarrassed U.S. military officials as it came within weeks of murder allegations against a former Marine